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enVan Basten to step down to AZ assistant roleMarco van Basten is to step down from his role as AZ coach and become an assistant at the Eredivisie club due to health problems.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-step-down-assistant-role
The former Ajax and Heerenveen boss has been unable to fulfill his duties for the last two weeks due to health issues, leading to speculation that hewas set to the leave the AFAS Stadion.
Van Basten has instead agreed to remain with the Alkmaar club, signing a new contract as an assistant until 2016 in a role that will see him concentrate on the development of AZ's young players.
"I have found that in recent times the role of head coach was causing me increasing physical and mental discomfort," Van Basten said.
"Therefore I decided I had to be honest with myself and with AZ. I wanted to return, but not as head coach. After extensive discussions with the club and [assistants]Alex Pastoor and Dennis Haar, we have found a suitable solution for all.
"I am delighted with my new role which is a little more in the background. I want to help the young players here."
Director of football Earnest Stewart revealed that the club are in talks with Pastoor about taking Van Basten's old position, but stressed that a deal is yet to be completed.
"The role of Alex as head coach is a logical consequence of recent developments," Stewart said.
"We are in conversation with him. However, we have not yet come to a final agreement."
news_articleTue, 16 Sep 2014 12:33:46 +0000252937 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Basten to return to AZ following absenceAZ coach Marco van Basten will return to work on Tuesday following an extended leave of absence due to a health issue.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-return-az-following-leave-absence
It had beenreported in the Dutch media that the legendary former Netherlands striker hadbeen suffering fromheart palpitations following the death of his father in July.
The problem initially forced him to miss last month's Eredivisie clash at Dordrecht,before the club allowed him more time to recover.
Recent reports suggested Van Basten would not return to the role, but the club confirmed on Monday that the 49-year-old would be back at the training ground this week.
"We are very pleased with the current developments," said AZ director of football Earnest Stewart. "Marco has continuously indicated that after his period of calm that he would like to return to training and that was again shown during the discussions on Sunday and Monday.
"With the medical staff giving the green light a return was decided."
Former Heerenveen coachVan Bastenreplaced Dick Advocaat during the close-season and will hold a press conference upon his return on Tuesday.
news_articleMon, 15 Sep 2014 19:23:27 +0000252504 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAlkmaar boss Van Basten given extended leaveAZ coach Marco van Basten has been given extra time by the club to rest and recover from a recent health issue.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-given-extended-leave
It had beenreported in the Dutch media that the legendary former Netherlands striker hadbeen suffering fromheart palpitations following the death of his father in July.
The problem forced him to miss Saturday's Eredivisie clash at Dordrecht, and he has now been given leave until September 14 - afterAZ's next league fixture against Heerenveen.
"As a club we know our responsibilities", said director of football affairs Earnest Stewart.
"On the advice of our club doctor and in consultation with Marco we have decided that resting will accelerate the recovery.
"Football is very important, but good health is paramount."
Van Basten, 49,was confirmed asDick Advocaat'ssuccessor at AFAS Stadionin April.
Dennis Her and Alex Pastoor will continue to manage first-team affairs in his absence.
news_articleWed, 03 Sep 2014 13:33:42 +0000244803 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Basten absent due to health issuesAZ have revealed that coach Marco van Basten will not take charge of Saturdays Eredivisie clash at Dordrecht due to issues with his health.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-absent-due-health-issues
It was reported in the Dutch media that the legendary former Netherlands striker has been suffering fromheart palpitations following the death of his father last month.
AZ revealed that assistantsDennis Her and Alex Pastoor will take over the first team in the absence of Van Basten.
The club said in a statement on their website: "The absence ofMarco van Bastenwill be longer than first expected. The coach has been struggling with physical discomfort for some time because of personal matters.
"These symptoms are so severe that it in the short term he is not able to competently carry out his work.
"Now Van Bastenmiss this Saturday's away match with FC Dordrecht."
Van Basten, 49,was confirmed asDick Advocaat'ssuccessor at AFAS Stadionin April.
news_articleThu, 28 Aug 2014 15:21:23 +0000240713 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Basten happy with AZs good first stepNew AZ coach Marco van Basten labelled his teams 3-0 win over Heracles in their Eredivisie opener on Saturday as a good first step.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-happy-azs-good-first-step
The 49-year-old quit his position as Heerenveen coach at the end of last season, having announced he would take over at AZ in April, and Van Basten started his new job impressively with a big win away from home.
After a scoreless first half, Steven Berghuis, Guus Hupperts and Muamer Tankovic produced the goals for the visitors and Van Basten was thrilled to see each of his forwards get on the scoresheet in AZ's first game of the 2014-15 Eredivisie season.
"Nice that all strikers have scored, 3-0 here is not ordinary," he said.
"They [Heracles] play very dynamic, with many attackers. The defence was good for us and slowly we got more grip.
"I think we already reasonably well accustomed to each other. A good first step."
Van Basten led Heerenveen to eighth and fifth in his two seasons in charge and AZ hope he can drive them back up the table to even better finishes this term.
AZ finished eighth last season and 10th the campaign before but have been one of the stronger clubs in the Eredivisie over the past decade, winning the title in 2008-09 and finishing in the top three on three other occasions.
But the team from Alkmaar have not improved enough yet, according to Van Basten with the former Netherlands and Ajax coach unhappy with AZ's first-half performance.
"We wanted to pressure [Heracles] in the right way but could not," he said.
news_articleSun, 10 Aug 2014 01:23:29 +0000228127 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Basten agrees deal to coach AZ AlkmaarEredivisie club AZ have reached an agreement with Marco van Basten to take over as head coach until the summer of 2016.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-agrees-deal-az
The former Netherlands and Ajax boss had already confirmed his intention to leave Heerenveen at the end of the season and will move to the AFAS Stadion provided formalities have been completed.
A statement on AZ's official website on Friday read: "AZ and Marco van Basten have reached a verbal agreement on a contract as head coach until the summer of 2016. The 49-year-old will succeed Dick Advocaat.
"The last formalities will be completed in the next few days, after which the Utrechter can be presented."
news_articleFri, 18 Apr 2014 11:32:42 +0000156097 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHeerenveen boss Van Basten open to offersHeerenveen coach Marco van Basten has again stated that he is not actively seeking a job outside the Netherlands, but is open to offers.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-open-offers
The 49-year-old will leave Heerenveen when his contract expires at the end of the season, but it is not clear what his next move will be.
Van Basten has previously stated that he has no intention to coach in a different country and although he has revealed that is still the case, he went on to make it clear that he could have a change of heart if the right opportunity comes along.
"I don't feel like it." the legendary former striker told De Telegraaf.
"If there is a good, interesting offer that arrives, I will go through it.
"But I have not been on the phone much. The number of clubs is naturally limited."
FormerNetherlands and Ajax coachVan Basten has been in charge ofHeerenveen since the start of last season.
news_articleMon, 31 Mar 2014 13:33:07 +0000146628 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Basten will not renew Heerenveen dealMarco van Basten has told Heerenveen he will leave the Eredivisie club when his contract expires at the end of the season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-leave-heerenveen-end-season
The former Netherlands striker took charge of Heerenveen ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, leading the club to an eighth-placed finish in his first year at the helm.
Heerenveen currently sit fifth in the Dutch top flight, but Van Basten has revealed he will walk away in May.
"Coach Marco van Basten has informed Heerenveen that he has decided not to renew his contract with the club," read a statement on Heerenveen's official website.
"The board regrets his decision, but has to respect this course."
A prolific striker during his illustrious playing career, Van Basten coached the Netherlands between 2004 and 2008 before leading Ajax for a solitary season.
news_articleWed, 29 Jan 2014 13:34:34 +0000116180 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Basten: Seedorf appointment is a big riskMilan legend Marco van Basten feels the prospective appointment of Clarence Seedorf as the club's new head coach is a "big risk".http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-seedorf-appointment-big-risk
Seedorf played for the San Siro club between 2002 and 2012, and confirmed on Tuesday that he is retiring from playing to take over the reins from the sacked Massimiliano Allegri.
Milan sit 11th in Serie A after they gave up a two-goal lead to lose 4-3 at lowly Sassuolo on Sunday, and have won only five league games this season.
While compatriot Van Basten understands why the seven-time European champions chose the 37-year-old Seedorf, he remains unconvinced over whether the appointment will work out for both parties.
They have opted for Seedorf, which makes sense in some way, but is also a big risk, Van Basten told NOS.
You never know how he will cope with the situation and solve things. Its not the wisest thing to do in my opinion, but Im not the one making the decision.
Van Bastens playing career was cut short at Milan due to injury, with the 49-year-old retiring from playing in 1995 before embarking on his managerial career, which began when he was named Netherlands coach in 2004.
And he feels his situation is completely different to that of Seedorfs because of his nine-year break from the game.
He (Seedorf) is fluent in Italian and has enjoyed a long and successful career. Those are important things, too, Van Basten explained.
The difference with my own situation is that hes going straight into coaching after hanging up his boots. I completely left the game after retiring and then had to make a comeback.
news_articleWed, 15 Jan 2014 11:49:47 +0000111306 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comVan Basten confirms Eikrem departureHeerenveen coach Marco van Basten has confirmed that Magnus Wolff Eikrem is set to leave the club amid rumours he will join Cardiff City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/van-basten-confirms-eikrem-departure
Eikrem was in the stands at St James Park on Saturday as Cardiff came from behind to beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the FA Cup third round in their first game under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The versatile 23-year-old worked with Solskjaer during his spell at Molde and was also coached by his Norwegian compatriot when the Cardiff boss was in charge of Manchester Uniteds reserve side from 2008 to 2011.
And Van Basten revealed that Eikrem is poised to leave, with the Cardiff City Stadium his reported destination.
Its a shame hes (Eikrem) leaving because in the final period of the first half of the season he has been important for us, he said in quotes reported byLeeuwarden Courant.
Eikrem has scored two goals in 13 appearances since joining from Molde in the close-season.
news_articleSun, 05 Jan 2014 16:55:01 +0000101091 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com